By: Mariah Thomas
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is an incredible sequel that continues to build the world of the satanic gaming family Grace (Samara Weaving) married into. The first film is already considered a beloved classic, so there was a lot of pressure riding on this film. Though it may not be for everyone, there is room for both films to stand on their own. The stakes are raised in this film as Grace not only has to fight for her life but also for her sister Faith’s (Kathryn Newton) life. There is a perfect balance of campiness, horror and humor in Ready or Not that its sequel also managed to uphold.
Ready or Not 2 picks up immediately after the first film ends. So often horror films end as the police come to save the day. However, the audience is left wondering what happens next? How does the survivor explain the chaos that just ensued? Reality kicks in when Grace’s story is understandably not believed by police. Though her physical wounds make it clear something happened to her as she is covered in the blood of in -laws and there is evidence of human remains in the house. At the hospital she receives a visit from her estranged sister, Faith. It is clear the two once had a great relationship that rusted with time. Grace hesitantly tells her sister the truth of what happened, no matter how crazy it sounds. In a cutaway scene, it is explained that the Le Domas family was one of six who worship Mr. Le Bail (James Vanderbilt). When Grace beat the odds and made it to dawn, she unknowingly entered the next round. The remaining five families get the chance to have the head of their households play the next level of hide and seek to kill Grace. The winner will hold the highest seat in the Council of Satanic Cult. Grace, technically, also gets a chance at this seat if she survives once more. She is against playing and only agrees when her sister’s life is threatened. At the hospital Grace and Faith are captured and brought to a new mansion with other properties like a casino and golf course for the game. The new competitors are evil twins Ursula (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Titus (Shawn Hatosy); a cunning mother with a loophole, Wan Chen Xing (Olivia Cheng); a father out for revenge for his scorned daughter, Ignacio El Caido (Nestor Carbonell); and a brother looking to avenge his family’s name, Madhu (Varun Saranga). Grace and Faith must work together to outsmart these determined families while also working through their own familial issues.
There are very specific roles that could only be played by a singular actor. No matter who may look the part or even be able to give a similar performance, there is something special that makes it belong solely to them. Samara Weaving as Grace is an example of this. The way she is able to become such a relatable character in an unrelatable world is a gift. Often when watching horror movies it is a natural response to place yourself in the film – to wonder out loud with whom you are watching what you would have done differently. For me, the one thing is always making sure the person after you is deceased post battle. Grace constantly does this. She almost feels like a personification of horror fans’ complaints thrust into a horror film to do things the right way. From her physical pain, emotional state and sheer confusion, Weaving gives another great performance in this sequel. Grace deserves to be noted as one of the greatest final girls in horror film history. Another performance I shockingly loved in this was the role of the lawyer played by Elijah Wood. He is the voice between the families and the devil. There is such a nonchalant energy to him as he is showing up to simply do his job. He has many great moments scattered throughout that bring a new level of humor to the film.
Matt Bettinelli-Oplin and Tyler Gillett team up once again to tackle directing the Ready or Not sequel. Anytime a popular franchise is able to keep on the same director/directing team as well as writers, it is bound to be a great film. There is a clear flow from movie to movie that is captured so well in their directing styles. The only changes are location and the color pallet as this film takes place during the day. The shot choices match the first in such a way that the two films together feel like one long iteration. Even with years in between them for the viewer, the choice for the immediate plot pick up pulls viewers right back in for this new journey.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is a prime example of a great sequel. It doesn’t force references to the first film or rely too heavily on viewer knowledge of the previous film. Someone could easily just watch this and not need to have seen the first. It is a marriage between comedy and horror in mindblowing ways. Though the ending points to this being the final film, I would love to see this franchise continue in some way. This comes at a high recommendation from me. The best way to watch it in my opinion is via a double feature with the first film.